Karachi: The Sindh government, in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), is set to launch the Sindh Coastal Resilience Project (SCRP) in early 2025. This Rs46 billion initiative aims to combat climate change impacts, enhance livelihoods, and reduce poverty in the coastal districts of Badin, Sujawal, and Thatta.
The project, spanning seven years (2024-25 to 2031-32), will focus on building climate resilience in communities vulnerable to floods, cyclones, and sea-level rise. IFAD will contribute Rs28 billion, with the remaining funding provided through local resources.
Key interventions include providing productive assets and training to 30,000 households, vocational training for 43,000 youth, and promoting group enterprises linked to value chains. The initiative will also engage 500 revenue villages to form inclusive Village Organizations, fostering climate-smart agriculture, fisheries, and off-farm businesses.
Officials estimate that approximately 196,000 households, or one million individuals, will directly and indirectly benefit from project activities, including improved access to financial resources, vocational training, and community infrastructure.
The project aims to promote sustainable, inclusive livelihoods by supporting smallholder farmers, fisherfolk, and landless communities. A participatory approach will be employed to ensure community ownership and integration with markets and financial services.
Despite the ambitious plans, the technical section of the Planning Commission has raised 17 observations on the project, some of which remain unaddressed by the sponsors. However, the Sindh government is optimistic about overcoming these hurdles and delivering significant economic and environmental benefits to the region.
The SCRP underscores the Sindh government’s commitment to climate adaptation and sustainable development, providing a blueprint for improving resilience in Pakistan’s vulnerable coastal regions.
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